Expert says granting Corby remission could make SBY a law breaker

University of Indonesia (UI) law expert, Hikmahanto Juwana, said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s decision to grant narcotics inmate Schapelle Corby remission could at best be considered a blunder and at worst be considered a violation of the law.

“Indonesia has ratified the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances with its 1997 Anti-Narcotics Law,” he said in a press statement sent to The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

He said the law clearly stipulated the government to provide solid explanations behind a decision to grant remission to any inmate convicted of involvement with narcotics.

“It is time for the President to answer the call, explaining to us why he made that decision,” he said.

“If his explanation is unacceptable, then Yudhoyono could be considered as breaking the law himself.”

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had previously announced via State Secretary Sudi Silalahi that he had granted a remission request of five years to Schapelle Corby, a convicted Australian drug smuggler who is now serving time at Bali’s Kerobokan Prison.

The President’s move has sparked controversy among anti-narcotics campaigners, who have accused Yudhoyono of showing a serious lack of will in leading the country's battle against narcotics. (dic)